Last post of the year, and some year it has been, so much discovery in modern jazz 1956-66 (give or take a few years) 2017 has really been a landmark. Not a lot of new acquisitions, the collector world seems … Continue reading →

I didn’t want my mailbox jammed with everyone telling me what KoB matrices they have got (some did anyway, great) – but then I had a brainwave: Polldaddy! Hopefully this will work. If it doesn’t then there’s nothing lost, except I … Continue reading →

It’s been a good few weeks for the afterlife jam session – first Bobby Hutcherson, Toots Thielmans, Louis Smith, now Rudy has cut his last acetate. The giants are gathering on the other side. We have so much to be … Continue reading →

A record collector’s special bonus topic, prompted by LJC commenter Geoffrey Wheeler. I’m sure that name is familiar! You’ll note it again after a few minutes reading. An occasional look at the stuff you may well have overlooked, delving into … Continue reading →

UPDATED July 20 – adding Classic Records. I should have anticipated this. In the ’80s and ’90s, reissues were a whole generation’s first introduction to Blue Note. The purist perspective of “original pressings” from the ’50s and ’60s is a long way from … Continue reading →

Following the earth-shattering UK referendum result to leave membership of the European Union, I want to re-assure all jazz-loving readers around the world that LondonJazzCollector will REMAIN your premier UK jazz blog, and LEAVE you to comment on all posts as usual, in … Continue reading →

On a Saturday evening in May 2016, Space came to Dalston, London E8. Marshall Allen, 92, on alto and a reed-based synthesiser that produced space noises straight out of Gort from The Day The Earth Stood Still, and Robbie The Robot, Forbidden Planet. Marshall carries … Continue reading →

Occasional Series: LJC Conversation Pieces – An experiment, sound off about topics related to the music we love and the things around it we love to hate, or anything else reasonably on-topic for that matter. It is always interesting to … Continue reading →

Final Updates: at foot of post (February 13) Another ever-popular jazz record cover theme. We’ve had the good, we’ve the had the bad, now it’s time (cough cough) dyin’ for a smoke: smokin’ covers ( no thanks, just tobacco in mine) Never mind … Continue reading →

SUNDAY UPDATE: Guide to Contemporary 3500 series back covers now added to permanent pages for Guide to the Contemporary Records label. (If you are able to provide better picture of original back cover with coloured text and frame, all contributions … Continue reading →

Jan 21, 2016: more updates! There seems to be no end to the supply of bad jazz covers. Keep them coming! Most recent nominations added to end of post. Record number of LJC page views yesterday, must be the effect of … Continue reading →

HOTTEST COVERS More late entries! I’ve caved in under pressure, 18 late entries join the foot of the post and added to the Poll. It’s only a bit of Christmas fun isn’t it? No LJC, covers is serious. Nice blog. Shame if anything … Continue reading →

As some readers have discovered to their ire, LJC has a strict policy of not getting involved in the buying and selling of records. I am committed to research and education, everything on this site is strictly non-commercial. However there are occasions … Continue reading →

I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time. The tenor saxophone playing style is as distinctive as the human voice, or so I have argued. Time to put that to the test, can you tell who the player … Continue reading →

No, it doesn’t exist. At least not yet. With the invaluable help of Diego S, LJC’s Head of Special Projects Involving Quite Complicated Things, LJC is launching an appeal for information from Prestige collectors about the records they own, in forensic detail. We … Continue reading →

ADVANCE NOTICE LONDON EVENT: 16th November, 2014 SCHEDULED APPEARANCE Jazz event not to miss, live recording, performance, artist interviews, and chat (including questions from the invited audience) On the sofa, quiz the real LJC. Tickets on application to http://www.jazzatmetropolis.com/#signup More information on the Jazz at … Continue reading →

Spending time in the south of France, a short distance from Nice’s museum of modern art, in the dusty window of a seller of antique books and art, I noticed an extraordinary and unusual book. Fashioned in the form of a grand … Continue reading →

BLUE NOTE UNDER-COVER DETECTIVES an occasional post for the Blue Note collector that doesn’t have everything, but would like to. The 12″ microgroove unbreakable record brought record cover art to the fore, and developments in printing technology enabled these new generation covers … Continue reading →

LJC contributor Rodrigo sent me a fascinating chart he had prepared about the lifespan of his favourite jazz musicians. I took a crack at this myself a while back, but our man is a master of non-standard graphical presentation tools, respect, so … Continue reading →

Selection: Bonus Track not included on the original vinyl – Brilliant Corners, in which Elvis vocalises the part of Sonny Rollins tenor. Breaking News The record collecting community was today rocked by the announcement on a popular jazz collecting blog … Continue reading →